News

In this issue you will find a full analysis of SPA's groundbreaking survey of Australia's attitudes to population growth. There are articles also on climate change and two book reviews: "Killing the Koala and Poisoning the Prairie" and "Climate, Fire and Human Evolution".

Today Australia’s population is predicted to reach 24 million, having come much faster than some were expecting. In October 2009 it was 22m, 23m in March 2013, now in Feb 2016 we have hit 24m. Each extra million is arriving at a faster rate, the consequence of exponential growth - and it will get worse.
Environment group, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) asks what 24 million people means for Australia. SPA’s President, Sandra Kanck, says the answer is congestion, loss of biodiversity, impossible demands on infrastructure, water shortages, more climate change, more urban sprawl and astronomical real estate prices. “The Australian government has no overarching plan for managing these problems which will only get worse with still more people”, says Ms Kanck.

Tomorrow, 13th February, is the 250th anniversary of the birth of English population pioneer, Rev Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) who warned of the dire consequences of population growth.
With the world population of 7.4 billion still growing at more than 80 million a year, it is time we focused more on population control, says environment group Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).

Results of a significant survey showing that most Australians (a clear 51%) do not want population growth have been released today.
Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) president, Sandra Kanck, says this new survey sheds light on an increasingly controversial topic.
‘We now have solid evidence that government and business are not listening to Australian voters on the subject of population growth,’ Ms Kanck said.

News that Kelvin Thomson will not recontest his Victorian seat of Wills at the next federal election is cause for lament, says environment group Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).

SPA national president, Sandra Kanck, says that the loss of Mr Thomson from the parliament will leave Australians with not a single MP who truly understands the negative impacts of continued population growth.

A Once in a lifetime opportunity for Perth People.
The visit of Bill Ryerson on November 14th.
"How Soap Operas can change the world".
Saturday, 14th November at 2pm
Social Sciences Lecture Theatre
University of WA.